News
Endometriosis: More than just a ‘painful period’
Credit: Francine Taylor / Instagram: @just_another_endo_warrior
“I wake up in pain every single day, sometimes even before I open my eyes, I realise how much pain I’m in.”
Francine Taylor is describing her endometriosis symptoms.
It took the 28-year-old more than 12 years to receive a diagnosis.
If caught any later, it would have cost both her bladder and bowel, her current consultant confirmed.
Experts have concluded that there is an ongoing gynaecology crisis in the UK with NHS waiting lists having “more than doubled since February 2020.”
750,000 women are still waiting for consultations, tests, and even important surgery, leaving many women at stake of losing major organs to endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining, grows outside of the uterus, causing pain, inflammation and scarring.
For Francine, her life is “consumed” by her diagnosis, affecting her ability to work, socialise and maintain relationships.
“No one took me seriously.” she explains. “You go to these medical professionals with the hope and the understanding that they’re there to help you, and for them to say it’s normal, is concerning.” she said.
She first started experiencing symptoms at just 14 years old and did not receive her diagnosis until her later adult years when she turned 27.
When taking frequent trips to the GP to discuss her incredibly painful periods, she was immediately shut down, with doctors telling her that periods are “meant to be painful” and that experiencing how she felt, was a “normal part of being a woman.”
Since then, Fran underwent two invasive surgeries to investigate her symptoms.
After a first surgery, she was told by a gynaecologist that there was “nothing wrong” with her, explaining that there were no signs of “menstrual health or gynecological related illnesses or disorders.”
“If I believed the consultant that failed to diagnose me, I would have eventually lost both my bowel and my bladder.”
Over the next two years, her symptoms progressed severely, forcing her to obtain a second opinion.
“It was only when I questioned what they were saying, that anything was taken seriously.” she said.
“I had to build up a huge amount of symptoms that were affecting me on a daily basis in order for anyone to take me seriously, and I know I am not alone in that.” she said.
In May of 2023, she was finally diagnosed with stage three endometriosis after battling to be heard by medical practitioners for more than a decade.
“You know, having 12 years of battling with medical practitioners to be taken seriously has a huge toll on your mental health, it’s really exhausting and very frustrating.” she said
She continues: “I think the fact that endometriosis takes on average 8.9 years to diagnose, speaks volumes to the level of medical gaslighting and dismissal that occurs within the women’s health sector.”
“You have to plan everything around your condition, and whilst I am not my condition, endometriosis has taken over mine and many other women’s lives.” she said.
Communities are encouraged to buy a poppy as this year’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is launched in the lead-up to Remembrance Day.
The annual fundraising campaign supports members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, personnel and their families.
The Poppy Appeal remains the Legion’s biggest annual fundraiser.
Last year, more than 32 million poppies were distributed across the UK, and about £51.4 million was raised in donations.
Chris Hayward is managing the Poppy Appeal in North Hampshire & Winchester and said: “Wearing a poppy during Remembrance time shows that you care.”
“It’s a national symbol, and it shows the armed forces community that you appreciate everything that they do.”
She added: “For those who want to get involved, you can wear your poppy, donate to the Royal British Legion, Poppy Appeal, and also participate in the collections and volunteer as a collector.”
Winchester will be recognising remembrance itself, with a service at the Cathedral on Sunday, 9th November, in addition to a service at Winchester Guildhall at 11 am on Armistice Day.
The service will begin at 9:20 am and will include a procession from The Broadway to Winchester Cathedral, as well as wreath laying too.
Donations from the campaign go towards services including mental health support, housing assistance and employment advice for veterans transitioning to civilian life.
For more information on how to donate, volunteer or order poppies online, visit: britishlegion.org.uk/poppyappeal.
Until 2093, asteroid 2025 PN7 will be sharing the Earth’s orbit.
You may have seen circuiting on social media a myth that the Earth has two moons from now until 2083 – sadly, that’s science fiction.
In August of this year astronomers discovered asteroid 2025 PN7.
It is considered a quasi-moon as it orbits the sun in a similar path to Earth.
According to Mike Shanahan, planetarium director at New Jersey’s Liberty Science Centre, the asteroid has been travelling “alongside Earth for 60 years”.
Due to the size of the asteroid, it wasn’t discovered until this summer.
Astronomy fans hoping to see a second moon in the sky are out of luck.
The asteroid is too small and far away to be seen by the naked eye or regular telescopes.
The number of asteroids in Earth-like orbit has been known to exceed 100.
Some orbit alongside the Earth for merely months, whereas others years or decades.
Currently, six other quasi-moons have been recorded near Earth.
Cardiff is the first UK city to introduce a “tax” for SUVs weighing over 2.4 tonnes.
The tax is to be enforced in residential permit areas, and also includes cars that are powered by diesel.
Cardiff Council is hoping that implementing this will improve congestion, the air quality, and create space on pavements.
The exact cost has yet to be announced, but the council has announced it will be releasing the tax in phases.
Winchester is a relatively small city with many residential permit areas – the question of a similar initiative being introduced locally has arisen.
Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council chose not to respond to Winchester News Online, with Winchester City Council stating that it is not a subject a councillor is likely to comment on, as it is an issue relevant to Cardiff and not yet an issue to Winchester.
Though the council does not yet deem this a possibility, it has gotten the public talking.
Jet Gates, a disability campaigner, said:
“It’s going to have a massive impact on disabled people across the UK
“We are a highly marginalized group in society – it’s just yet another nail in the coffin.”
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